FA Youth Cup 3rd Qualifying Round
Woking 3 Sutton Utd 1
22nd October 2008
A vibrant, pulsating and highly entertaining second halfperformance from the Woking youngsters earned them a home draw against Exeter City FC in the 1st Round Proper of the FA Youth Cup.
Althoughthe first period started somewhat cagily, there were still some good phases of play. A neat Woking free-kick with just ten minutes gone resulted in Ashley Lloyd narrowly blazing the ball over the crossbar from 25 yards,whilst at the other end, just two minutes later, Patrick Kinsella needed his wits about himas hemade an alert save down to his left from a Sutton free-kick. Then on seventeen minutes a cross fromthe lively Josh Coke fell to Abi Benis, whose shot on goal was pushed round the post by the Sutton keeper.
However, it was Sutton who scored first. On 26 minutes a ball down the left flank found Ashley Lloyd out of position and the Sutton winger in space. His cross thenenticed Gavin Miller into a rash challenge that ended up seeing the ball drop conveniently into the path of Sutton's Jerson Dos Santos. Dos Santos left Kinsella in the Woking goal with no chance.
Woking 0 Sutton 1
Thereafter Woking pushed hard for an equalizer. Luke Smith had two chances in the space of five minutes but was unable to convert either, but, with both teamsstriving to scorethepotentially tie-deciding next goal,opportunities went begging at both ends.
Half-time: Woking 0 Sutton 1
The second period started brightly. Luke Smith had run himself ragged for the Woking cause and, with 13 minutes gone, Rob Carr was brought on to replace him.
A tactical switch and Rob's introduction was the spark that ignited the Woking youngsters into top gear. Just two minutes later, Carr fed the ball to Matt Ellis, whose effort was blocked. One minute later Charlie Turnball fired narrowly wide. Then on eighteen minutes a cross from the ever-dangerous Anson Cousins found Charlie Turnball, whose ferocious half volley was bravely blocked by the Sutton keeper.
It was going to be difficult for Sutton to resist the tidal wave and, on twenty-two minutes, Rob Carr cleverly flicked a pass to Anson Cousins, who calmly slotted the ball home past the onrushing Sutton keeper.
Woking 1 Sutton 1
Anson Cousins was causing Sutton serious problems. He made a powerful run down the left flank, flashed aperfect ball across the box to the onrushing Josh Coke, whose fabulous 20 yard volley flew into the top left-hand corner of the net (contender for goal of the season).
Woking 2 Sutton 1
To cap off a great night, with just three minutes remaining of normal time, Cousins latched onto a through ball and calmly prodded the ball home to seal the win.
Full-time : Woking 3 Sutton 1
This was an entertaining andexciting cup tiein which theWoking youngsters deservethe plauditsfor aterrific team effort. All the lads needed to be at their best to come through this tough fixture: Sutton were previouslyunbeatenduring a run of13 months and 28 games.
The defensive partnership of Kinsella, Lloyd, Miller, Eagle and Benis was robust and combative throughout; in midfield Snishko was superbly impermeable, Turnball and Ellis were classy and creative, whilst going forward Smith, Coke, Cousins and Carr were sharp, incisive and clinical.
The competition for places in this FA Youth Cup squad is hotting up.
Squad: Kinsella, Lloyd, Miller, Eagle, Benis, Coke, Snishko, Ellis, Turnball, Cousins, Smith.
Subs used: Carr, Cadete, Gough.
Subs not used: Boateng, Wayne.
FA Youth Cup 1st Round Proper Woking vExeter City on the 5th November - KO 7.45pm
Come alongand see the fireworks !
